Welcome to Tea Tuesday, my weekly tribute to the art of having tea. “A Proper Tea is Much Nicer than a Nearly Nice Tea“- A.A. Milne. Life is grand in the UK now that Season 3 is well under way, sad in the US as PBS won’t be broadcasting the new season until January. Devoted foodie Downton fans will be looking forward to carefully planning S3 launch parties (check out my link to upstairs/downstairs theme ideas) or perhaps booking tickets to the S3 Culinary Launch Weekend at the Essex Resort in Vermont (see details below).

The British may have historically failed in other culinary areas*, but excel in the tea ritual. Each Tuesday I dish on Downton Abbey, the Royal Family, UK tourism and other topical tea issues one might discuss at tea, served up with a tea treat recipe with history. Today’s treat is Guilt-Free Pumpkin Tartlets to celebrate the arrival of Fall.